A Baby's Coming to Your House!

I teach 3 to 6 year old children, and they (and I) love this book. We had several children in class expecting siblings or with siblings newly arrived when I brought in this book. The book describes preparing for the baby, including mom's shrinking, sometimes even kicking, lap, and all the furniture and clothes the new baby will get. It talks about twins, much to the delight of my student expecting two sisters. The baby's homecoming, routines, noise and initial immobility are all discussed. There are several very touching passages, especially the one about maybe being able to hold the baby. This passage evokes peace and stillness, suggesting that you may even feel the baby breathe as you sit with her. My students were captivated by the stunning photographs and the narrative, by turns touching, funny, and serious. Reading this book caused may of them to share true stories about their own lives and interactions with siblings. Even the younger children thought about first memories with siblings now a year or two old. The photos also show children of many different ethnicities.This was a great tool for stimulating conversation with the children and was a big hit in the book corner. I enjoyed the upbeat message of this book as well. Even though routines change and diapers are smelly, parents still love you. Even though your baby might seem a little boring at first, the big sisters and brothers will get to teach this little one what they know. I thought it very positive for the children, stressing their competency and the importance of their role as a member of the family raising a baby.I would recommend this book strongly for any classroom or expectant parents. Or any child aware and interested in babies. (One of my children who loved this book is a little sister, but talked about her baby cousins!)

Great pictures of beautiful children help to tell the story of a new baby arriving at a child's home.